Woman charged with killing husband

A Columbia woman has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of her husband.

Holly Ann McCraw Mitchell, 29, appeared before Marion County Justice Court Judge Gwen Broom Saturday afternoon after being arrested at the scene Friday, the couple’s home at 721 Dale St.

Shawn Patrick “Chunk” Mitchell, 33, died of a single gunshot wound to the head at Marion General Hospital after being shot inside their home at about 4 p.m. Friday.

Broom set Holly Mitchell’s bond at $540,000 on three charges: second-degree murder ($500,000), child abuse ($20,000) and possession of a controlled substance ($20,000).

Assistant Police Chief Rita Pickering said she interviewed Holly Mitchell Friday after her arrest and then again Saturday before the charges were filed.

“The child abuse charge comes from the fact that she had a 3-year-old child with her at the time the shooting took place,” Pickering said Saturday afternoon outside Justice Court. “She has also been charged with the controlled substance charge, and the child was allegedly in a home where crystal meth was used. We obtained a warrant and found a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.”

Holly Mitchell had a court attorney appointed for her, however that attorney’s identity is unknown at the time because of the special court session held to set bond on a Saturday. A preliminary hearing is set for Thursday in Marion County Justice Court, but it is common for that hearing to be waived.